Apparatus and method for placing staples in laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapler (100) for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube (103), includes an anvil member (136) which is mounted to the distal end of an elongate housing (134). A tubular collar (127) disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into co-operative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.



